Nelso Bird talks about his new role at First Nations University of Canada and about his new project the Nelson Bird Show on CFNU Radio. (Photo by Stuart Manhas for INCA)

By NC Raine, Local Journalism Initiative

The Nelson Bird Show

Nelson Bird opens a new chapter in his journalism career

Sep 4, 2024 | 7:57 AM

Former CTV News personality, Nelson Bird couldn’t be happier with his new role as a community radio host, teacher and mentor at the First Nations University of Canada (FNUniv).

Today marks the debut episode of the Nelson Bird Show featuring a one-on-one conversation with FNUniv President Jacqueline Ottmann.

“My life is like a book; it’s full of chapters,” said Bird. “This is another chapter of my life.”

It is a full-circle moment for him.

Bird, a member of Peepeekisis Cree Nation has joined the Indigenous Communication Arts (INCA) program.

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“I’ve taken all this knowledge from my career in my brain, in my heart, in my spirit, and kept it in there in order to share it,” he said. “That’s the goal — share it with the next generation.

He’s a researcher, production assistant, and teaching INCA students how to craft their stories.

INCA Student right sits with Nelson Bird in the CFNU Radio studio and work on his new radio show. (Photo by Stuart Manhas for INCA)

“I’ve been in the industry for almost 30 years,” said Bird. “When this opportunity arose, I knew I had to come back. Every time I come back to this building, it feels a bit like home”

His start in journalism began in 1993 as an INCA student.

Bird has always shared his knowledge, his culture, and his identity.

In workplaces and newsrooms, he’s often found himself as the ‘only Indian in the room’, he said.

“I’ve had to adapt,” said Bird. “I’ve never shied away or been ashamed of my culture. When I’m in the room with non-Indigenous people, I’ll answer those questions without hesitation. It’s who I am, so coming to teach makes perfect sense.”

The return to FNUniv is also about tending to some of the projects he left behind.

In 1994, Bird helped launch CFNU Radio – a station which is still going strong at FNUniv.

With The Nelson Bird Show, he will do what he’s good at – telling stories and having conversations.

“I’m a storyteller. I sit with people and tell stories,” said Bird. “Whether it’s on TV, on the radio, in person, or in a room of people, I always want to share stories with a strong focus on our history, culture, and humour.”

His decision to leave mainstream media was not a rushed one.

“I think mentally, spiritually, I was leaving for a while now,” said Bird. “Mainstream media was no longer appealing.”

Given the current state of the news industry in Canada, he needed to make a change.

Nelson Bird stands outside the CFNU radio studio at FNUniv (Photo by Stuart Manhas for INCA)

“I was seeing how things were going with Bell Media – the cutbacks, the layoffs. I lost so many good friends who either were laid off or decided to leave – talented, wonderful, experienced journalists,” said Bird. “So I decided it was time to carve out my own way.”

He believes the future of journalism is in smaller media outlets, telling personal Indigenous stories, with technology allowing these stories to come from sources other than big corporations.

“I want that next chapter of my life to go back to where it started. Not as a student but as a teacher,” said Bird. “I want to ensure the perception of Indigenous people across this country is accurate and true.”